THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 16, 1937
BRITISH NOTE DEMANDS EVIDENCE OF PUNISHMENT Not Content With Japanese Assurances As In Past
INCIDENTS
CLEARLY RAISE VERY GRAVE ISSUES
London, To-day.
-TEN YEAR- SENTENCE
ON WOMAN
Jerusalem, To-day. Pleading guilty to charges of carrying a revolver and gunpow- dez, a woman appearing before the
THE British Note to Japan in regard to the Japan- ese attacks on British warships and merchant- men at Wuhu and near Nanking on Sunday, mintary court yesterday received says that these incidents clearly raise grave issues.
a sentence of ten years' imprison- ment-Reuter.
INSURGENT OFFENSIVE IN MADRID AREA
Madrid, To-day-
The newspapers yesterday came out with long articles-predicting the imminence of the long-delayed Nationalist large-scale offensive
The approach of really wintry weather makes it advisable from
Trans-Ocean.
After detailing the attacks, the Note says that hist
ment for the attacks on his Majes-the Nationalists" point of view to Majesty's Government has been glad to receive ty's ships, stating that measures
start operations immediately
However, the Republican troops the Japanese Note of December 14 offering the were immediately taken to prevent are strongly entrenched and the wea- Japanese Government's profound apologies & recurrence of such incidents and
adding that they will deal suitably ther will favour the defence for the attack on his Majesty's ships, stating with those responsible and pay the that measures will immediately be taken to necessary compensation. prevent recurrence of such incidents, and add- "iserve the Note makes no mention ing that they will deal suitably with those res-of the attacks on British merchant ponsible and will pay the necessary compensa-vessels and I am instructed to re- quest that an assurance may be tion.
given that all that is said în that Note applies equally to these attacks.
His Majesty's Government ob-tary Attache and the Flag Captain serve that the Japanese have no to the British Rear Admiral Yang- intentions to attack British mer-jtse, was attacked by Japanese ma-
His Majesty's government ob-
chantmen, and Sir Robert Craigie chine-gun fire after transferring WEATHER MAY (Ambassador at Tokyo) has been these officers to HMS. Ladybird. instructed to request assurance] "The latter proceeded to join the that all that was said therein ap-tug in order to protect her when plies equally to these attacks.
His Majesty's Government parti cularly note the statement that those responsible will be suitably dealt with.
PUNISHMENT
she observed a Japanese field gun
IMPROVE
-
300 JAPANESE PLANES DOWNED
Hankow, To-day. Over 300 Japanese planes have been shot down behind the Chin- ese lines by Chinese anti-aircraft batteries and planes, according to an official claim issued here yea- terday.
The toll, by months, is follows:,
August
September
ap-
October
battery firing on the merchant ships The Royal Observatory reported concentrated above the Asiatic Pe-this morning that the anti-cyclone troleum Company's installation. The has extended eastward to Japan. firing continued and was directed at The China Sea depression HMS. Ladybird herself. There
pears to have filled up. were four direct hits on this ves-
Local forecast: NE. winds, sel
fresh; cloudy with drizzle or light One naval rating was killed, an- rain; improving later. other was seriously wounded and there were several minor cansalties! including the Flag Captain. A di-l rect hit was also seen to be sustain- His Majesty's Government cannoted by the British merchant ship, but recall previous incidents in Suiwo. which the Japanese
Adequate punishment of those responsible seems to his Majesty's Government the only method by which further outrages can be pre vented.
Government
HMS. Bee then arrived on the
expressed regret for attacks on; scene and was also fired on by the British nationals and property and shore battery. had given assurances that adequate steps had been taken to prevent any repetition.
PAST FAILURES
POINT BLANK COVER
The Commander of the Bee landed to protest and was informed by Co- lonel Hashimoto, the Senior Japan- They recall the attack on Sir
jese Military Officer then at Wuku Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen, the that the firing on the warships was subsequent attack on motorcars due to a mistake but that he had or conveying British officials, attacks)
ders to fire on every ship on ... the on British civilians and military river. At a later interview, the same posts at Shanghai, as well as other
officer stated categorically that if incidents, and repeated assurances by the Japanese Government of any ships moved on the river they their intention fully to respect the would be fired on and despite pro- interests of third powers in the tests, HMS. Bee and HMS. Lady- bird, after berthing, remained cover- present conflict with China
It is clear that steps hitherto ed by guns at point-blank range. taken by the Japanese Government Near Hsiasanshan above Nanking, to prevent such attacks, have where British merchant ships were hitherto failed in that purpose, concentrated in a part of the river and His Majesty's Government previously designated by the Ja- must now ask to be informed that panese Commander-in-Chief as a measures actually have been taken safety zone, three separate bombing of a character which will put a attacks were made by Japanese air- definite stop to the incidents of craft on them and on HL.M. ships which they complain. Reuter. Cricket and Scarab which were with
OFFICIAL VERSION
OF INCIDENTS
The British Note states:-
them
November
planes
Altogether, nearly 400 aircraft have been shot dow the Chinese.—Trans-Ocean.
THE
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
INC.
REICHSMARK TRAVELLERS
CHEQUES
ON SALE AT
ADVANTAGEOUS RATES
NOTE OF APOLOGY
N
have
glad to
"At Wuhu, a British tug which receive the Note of December had conveyed from Nanking, His 14th offering the profound apology Majesty's Consul, the British Mili- of the Imperial Japanese Govern-
Office:
4, Des Voeux Road
Central